Diffie, Chesnutt, Lawrence Join for “Rockin’ Roadhouse Tour”

Three of the strongest, most distinctive voices in traditional country music will hit the trail June 20 for the “Rockin’ Roadhouse Tour.” Performing on stage together with a shared band, Joe Diffie
, Mark Chesnutt
and Tracy Lawrence
will play an anticipated 75 shows at state fairs, theme parks, festivals, casinos and arenas. Their first date is at the Red River Valley Fair in Fargo, N.D.

Details of the tour, which is expected to wrap up at the end of December, were announced Wednesday (Jan. 23) at a Nashville press conference.

All three artists were in good humor, joking at first about an erroneous news story that Tracy Byrd
was part of the talent package. “I thought I was going to have to spend the rest of the tour explaining why I’d replaced Tracy Bryd,” Diffie said.

“We don’t get to hang out much,” said Chesnutt, who recently signed to Columbia Records. “This way, we’re all stuck together.” Added Diffie, “I’m really out there for the highjinks.” Asked how long each show would be, Chesnutt said, “Until they turn the lights out.”

A spokeswoman for Chesnutt said auditions are still being held for members of the trio’s backup band.

Diffie and Chesnutt made their chart debuts in 1990, and Lawrence followed them the next year. Chesnutt’s top hits include “Brother Jukebox,” “I’ll Think of Something,” “It Sure Is Sunday,” “Almost Goodbye,” “I Just Wanted You to Know” and his cover of Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing,” which stayed at No. 1 for four weeks. He has four platinum albums to his credit.

Diffie is best known for titles such as “Home,” “Third Rock From the Sun,” “If the Devil Danced in Empty Pockets,” “Pickup Man” and “Bigger Than the Beatles.” His “In Another World” is currently climbing the charts. Diffie has scored two platinum and two gold albums.

Among Lawrence’s trophy tunes are “Sticks and Stones,” “Alibis,” “Can’t Break It to My Heart,” “My Second Home,” “If the Good Die Young,” “Texas Tornado” and “Time Marches On.” His next single, “What a Memory,” will be released Feb. 4. Lawrence has two double-platinum, two platinum and two gold albums.